Improvement in tables for invalids



Thomas Jl/ Web.

Tame for Ilwezlds.

Bm'rENTEn JUN 27 1871 l; ATES PATENT OFFICE. l

THOMAS N. WEBB, OFv BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN TABLES FOR INVALIDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,516, dated June 27, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS N. WEBB, of the city and county of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Table 'a table. This table may be used by invalids for various purposes, and as the severalparts of the frame are adjustable the table may be made to assume an inclined position to serve for a reading or writing desk.

In the drawing, Figure l represents an end view ot' my improved invalid-table. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan or top view of the same. y

A Ain the drawing represent suitable frames, provided with suitable slots on their under side in such a manner that they can pass over and rest on the side rails B B of a bed. In these slots are arranged rollers a a, which enable the frame A to move easily on the rails. On their upper ends -these frames A extend outwardly, so as to form bearings b for the standards O, two of which latter pass through each bearing b, being held by set-screws c c, and extending downwardly outside of the rails B. At their upper ends these standards C carry suitable heads D D', the former of which, on one side of the bed, are removable from the standards O, while the latter are firmly oonnected to or formed on the standards O on the other side of the bed. The heads D D are held to their standards by set-screws d d. From the heads D D extend laterally cross-bars E E, which,

`with their free ends pass through suitable openings in the heads Dl D', where they are held in proper position by set-screws e e, and they thus y extend across the bed parallel to each other. On

these cross-bars E E slides a table, F, being se curely held to the same by means of hooks f on its under side, which do not, however, prevent the table from being moved from side to side on the bars E E. By lowering or raising the standards C in their bearings b this sliding table may be raised or lowered to accommodate the invalid; or the standards C supporting the bar Enearest the invalid, may be lowered, thereby inclining the table F to any desired degree, the same being securely held to the bars by means of hooks f. By attaching a strip to the lower end ofthe thus-inclined table the same may serve for a reading or writing desk. In the drawing I have shown the standards-and bars as made round, but they may be made in any desired angular shape, as may suit taste or convenience; and the entire apparatus may be made of any suitable material. As lightness will be of great importance, I may form the standards and bars of metal, and hollow, as,

for instance, of small gas-tubing, &c. This inva lid-table is equally applicable to an arm-chair, in which case the bars E E may be made shorter, and the apparatus may be provided with two sets of bars, E E, a shorter and a longer one, so as to adapt the apparatus for use on a' bed or on an armchair; and in either case a set-screw may be used to hold the frames A A to the bed-rail or arm of the chair in any desired fixed position. In this way I produce a light but firm frame and table, easily put together or taken apart, and adjusta ble in almost any position to suit the requirements of an invalid either in bed or in an arm-chair. Different-sized or diierently-arranged tables F may be used for different purposes. Thus a table provided with suitable holes may serve for an invalid-washstand, another for writing, and another for eating; or the table may consist of several boards 'arranged so as to slide, one above the other, in a frame, and thus suited for different purposes-5 and I do not confine myself to any particular shape or construction.

What I. claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An invalid-table, adjustable vertically and laterally, when arranged to be used on a bed or chair, substantially in the manner herein described. f

2. VThe frames A A, standards O O, and bars E E, in combination with the movable table F, 'arranged to operate substantially as described.

3. In combination with the bars E E, the table F provided with h ooks f, arranged to operate substantially as described.

- THOMAS N. VEBB.

Witnesses:

J. WEST WAGNER, MosEs G. BERTRIGHT. 

